Big Red Boat

[sami90tsi]

I don't know if anyone was interested, but if you happen to be in the NYC area, and want to see some nostalgia, Disney's original Big Red Boat is being detained in NYC for some minor hull damage. It is now sailing as the "Peace Boat" and was on its way from Iceland to Venezuela.

http://wapedia.mobi/en/SS_Oceanic_(1965)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Red_Boat

 

[kcashner]

Sorry, but the Big Red Boat was never owned or operated by Disney.

Premier Cruise Line operated 2 ships, the Oceanic and the Atlantic, and called them both the Big Red Boat. They had one contract with Disney to have Disney characters on their ship and marketed 3/4 day cruises with the rest of the week at WDW similar to what DCL does.

When the contract with Disney expired, Disney declined to renew it and Premier then contracted with Warner Brothers to have Looney Tunes characters on the ship.

Premier Cruise Lines went bankrupt....essentially run out of business by DCL. We sailed on it--NO LOSS!

 

[mmouse37]

I don't know if anyone was interested, but if you happen to be in the NYC area, and want to see some nostalgia, Disney's original Big Red Boat is being detained in NYC for some minor hull damage. It is now sailing as the "Peace Boat" and was on its way from Iceland to Venezuela.

http://wapedia.mobi/en/SS_Oceanic_(1965)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Red_Boat

Wow...that is so funny you posted that....we live about 15 miles north of NYC and my DD does a summer internship in the city. I drove her in the other day and we go right by the Passenger Ship Terminal. I always love to check out what ships are in port there and I saw this ship and it looked familiar but had Japanese writing on the side. Could not figure out what ship it was and now I know!!!

MJ

 

[dotty dot]

gosh that takes me back we went on premeir cruise line about 16-17 year ago when we went to disney - we still have the pic of our dd at about 3 on castaway cay - it will be nice to go back on the wonder this sep

 

[mmouse37]

gosh that takes me back we went on premeir cruise line about 16-17 year ago when we went to disney - we still have the pic of our dd at about 3 on castaway cay - it will be nice to go back on the wonder this sep

Big Red Boat never went to CC. It must have been a different island.

MJ

 

[tvguy]

Big Red Boat never went to CC. It must have been a different island.

MJ

Yeah, Castaway Cay was still Gorda Cay....and a drug runners stopping off point when Preimer had Disney characters on board. If you were on Castaway Cay then, I think the DEA would like a word with you.

 

[mmouse37]

Here is a link to the news story about the Oceanic having a small hole in her hull and having to be brought to drydock immediately. Also heard on the morning news that all the passeners are being put up in hotels until the repairs are made and they can continue to Venuezuela.

http://coastguardnews.com/coast-gua...-movement-to-dry-dock-for-repairs/2009/06/27/

MJ

 

[crushonjessica]

I never had luck with the Big Red Boat. I am surprised I am still cruising. The first cruise we ever took, the dock master in Tampa couldn't get us out and he put a big dent in the boat because he ran us into a pylon. We ended up having dinner on the ship, but the ship docked in port while the coast guard had to determine if we were sea worthy. We finally got going sometime in the middle of the night. The second time they kept changing the date because of problems with the boat. We finally just cancelled the reservation, but of course it took forever to get our money back. Both times they were with the looney toons characters not Disney.

 

[cdfl30]

Big Red Boat never went to CC. It must have been a different island.

MJ

When we sailed Premier in the late 80's, we went to Salt Cay for our "private island" day. Salt Cay is now owned by Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounters.

 

[bevtoy]

When we sailed Premier in the late 80's, we went to Salt Cay for our "private island" day. Salt Cay is now owned by Blue Lagoon Dolphin Encounters.

We did the same it was Salt ay too. The rooms were in bad shape, it was our first cruise and we didnt cruise again till a couple years ago with Disney.
You can tell these photos are old...

 

[dotty dot]

Yeah, Castaway Cay was still Gorda Cay....and a drug runners stopping off point when Preimer had Disney characters on board. If you were on Castaway Cay then, I think the DEA would like a word with you.

Hi if I was not in castaway cay where was I then??? I have dug out the old photos to find the date it was may 1993 and we sailed on the "star ship Atlantic with premier big red boat - the official cruise line of walt disney world". We docked on an island where the boat pulled right in ( no tender as we did the day before with nassa) we played on a beach with hammocks ( i know you can get them on any island ) the staff ran a kids area where my DD dug up treasure and we all went for lunch in a big wood hut thing !! a BBQ all included with big woodedn tables and benches. in my pics their is only the pemier boat docked no others and all through the boat it was character everywhere - the kids club played disney all day long and even had little disney sleeping bags for the kids. We had a great time where ever we where anyway. any ideas!!!! and do the DEA hold a grudge!!!

 

[ma2jr]

Going to google Gorda Cay... drug runners really? I never new that!

 

[lbgraves]

This is a pretty good article too.

http://outside.away.com/outside/magazine/0199/9901blackbeard.html

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Hi if I was not in castaway cay where was I then??? I have dug out the old photos to find the date it was may 1993 and we sailed on the "star ship Atlantic with premier big red boat - the official cruise line of walt disney world". We docked on an island where the boat pulled right in ( no tender as we did the day before with nassa) we played on a beach with hammocks ( i know you can get them on any island ) the staff ran a kids area where my DD dug up treasure and we all went for lunch in a big wood hut thing !! a BBQ all included with big woodedn tables and benches. in my pics their is only the pemier boat docked no others and all through the boat it was character everywhere - the kids club played disney all day long and even had little disney sleeping bags for the kids. We had a great time where ever we where anyway. any ideas!!!! and do the DEA hold a grudge!!!

Wikipedia is showing that Castaway Cay opened July 30. 1998

Rob

 

[mmouse37]

Castaway Cay was revamped specifically for Disney Cruise Line, not the Big Red Boat. As mentioned before it was called Gorda Cay previously in the past and at one time was used by drug runners.

The island was purchased by Disney on February 29, 1996. Groundbreaking started on the island in May of 1996. The naming of Castaway Cay happened in early 1997.

MJ

 

[aidtrismommy]

Hi if I was not in castaway cay where was I then??? I have dug out the old photos to find the date it was may 1993 and we sailed on the "star ship Atlantic with premier big red boat - the official cruise line of walt disney world". We docked on an island where the boat pulled right in ( no tender as we did the day before with nassa) we played on a beach with hammocks ( i know you can get them on any island ) the staff ran a kids area where my DD dug up treasure and we all went for lunch in a big wood hut thing !! a BBQ all included with big woodedn tables and benches. in my pics their is only the pemier boat docked no others and all through the boat it was character everywhere - the kids club played disney all day long and even had little disney sleeping bags for the kids. We had a great time where ever we where anyway. any ideas!!!! and do the DEA hold a grudge!!!

I remember this island too. It was some time in the early-mid 90's. I recall that we tendered though. The pictures in the above post are it, I think. I remember that bridge. I have pictures somewhere that I will have to dig out.

 

[dotty dot]

I remember this island too. It was some time in the early-mid 90's. I recall that we tendered though. The pictures in the above post are it, I think. I remember that bridge. I have pictures somewhere that I will have to dig out.

yes i think you are right it was salt cay - i have looked back at the old photos and it does look like the above post - so thanks for all the help - salt cay was very nice and hopefully castaway cay will be even better

 

[dvc4life]

We sailed on the "Big Red Boat" (Atlantic) for our honeymoon in 1990. This was our first ever cruise and we absolutely loved it. The ship was beautiful and when we went to Nassau, we were then tendered over to Blue Lagoon Island for the day. That was gorgeous. And when we booked, it was considered a Disney cruise. One reason we booked it. Plus, after the cruise we spent 4 days at Disney.

So, to us, that will always be the original Disney cruise!

 

[bevtoy]

We were told it was backed by Disney when we bought ours too. What year was Disney s first Magic/Wonder sailing? Anyone know?

 

[HFC1969]

Great thread... loved the Outdoor article!